Fluorescein angiography is an eye test in which a special camera takes pictures of the blood vessels inside your eye. Dye is injected into a vein in your arm. Pictures are taken while the dye moves through the blood vessels in your eye.
This test takes only a short time and causes little if any discomfort.
Your eye care provider will use this test to find out if the flow of blood is normal in your retina (the tissue at the back of the eye) and to check for abnormal blood vessels or swelling. You may have this test during a checkup if your eye care provider suspects problems with your retina. You may be at risk for problems with your retinas if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, sickle cell disease, or other health problems.
This test can also be used to see if certain treatments are working.
Your provider or the person taking the pictures will put eyedrops in your eyes to dilate the pupils.
You are seated at a camera. You put your chin on a chin rest, and your forehead against a support bar to keep your head still during the test. An orange dye is injected into a vein in your arm through a needle. The dye travels from your arm to your eyes in a few seconds. Photos are taken quickly as the dye moves through the blood vessels in your eyes. They are taken at various times and the entire test can take up to a half hour or more. The photos can show problems in the back of the eye.
Sometimes the dye makes your skin look yellow and your urine orange for a day or two after the test. These effects are temporary and harmless.
When the test results are available, your provider will discuss them with you.
About 1 in 10 people have some itching or nausea. Tell your provider if you have either of these. He or she may give you antihistamines or anti-nausea medicine if this happens. You may also get lightheaded. Reactions more serious than this are very rare.
